Menu

College Football Week 12: Florida Gators go west…to Ron Zook Field

The consistently inconsistent Gators travel two hours west to Ron Zook Field at Doak Campbell Stadium to visit also consistently inconsistent School Out West in their 55th meeting. Florida leads the all-time series 33-19-2, has won the previous six meetings, and is undefeated in this match-up under Urban Meyer. This is a rivalry game, so anything can happen. Typically, the higher ranked team has emerged victorious in this series unless both are ranked pretty closely. Given that piece of information, I would be tempted to give SOW the definite advantage since they will go into the game ranked #22 and UF will again be unranked. One could counter that argument and say that UF is probably ranked #26 out of 25 ranked teams, which is close enough to call their rankings a wash. Maybe. The Gators are out of the SEC East race and are trying to salvage their 6-4, 4-4 season by getting into either the Outback Bowl (Michigan State, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio State or Penn State), Chick-Fil-A Bowl (FSU, Miami, or NC State) or the Gator Bowl (Michigan State, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio State or Penn State). A convincing win here could possibly put them in the CFA Bowl against the ACC #2 team and ensure their regular season record would be no worse than a Ron Zook-era record. A loss would not kill Florida, but that would put it teetering on a 0.500 record if they lose their bowl game. It could be worse–the bowl game could be against longtime rival Miami (FL) or a rematch against SOW in the CFA Bowl. As for SOW, they are out of the ACC championship running and are playing for the CFA Bowl or Gator Bowl as well with a win here and some help from another ACC team losing.

The Gators have whipped the ‘Noles badly the past few years, so expect them to exact some revenge on the weakest Gator team they are likely to see in a long time.

The Gators hope to end the regular season with a win over the in-state rivals, but the School Out West can smell blood in the water as the Gators are wounded and vulnerable swimming into shark pool known as Doak Campbell Stadium. Will SOW be able to exploit the Gators while they are having a down season? The Gators have lost three home games and one game against the #1 team in America in that team’s home field. They also are 0-3 against ranked opponents.

The School Out West already beat a ranked in-state rival, but lost its only other game against a ranked opponent. Also SOW individual numbers are just about as bad as Florida’s numbers, so these teams are very evenly matched. Check out their competition this year. I am only worried about this game, because the Gators are going to be the ones who will have to screw up in order to lose. This is a very winnable game for the Gators. That being said, I do have to repeat that if SOW is going to beat Florida anytime soon, it is going to have to be in this game.

Stuff the run. SOW does not have a marquee runner, but they have a platoon of decent ones.

Don’t let Ponder tear apart the secondary. That would be embarrassing.

Keys to a Criminole win:

Hit the QB.

Stuff the midget running backs.

Dare one of the freshmen on the Gator offense to beat you.

Beat Florida in special teams.

I think the Florida Gators can pull off an upset and protect their dominance. I would hope that the Gators consider this their bowl game and play with just as much intensity as they did against Appalachian State. SOW is no Appy State. I can easily see the Criminoles exacting revenge and beating the Gators by a TD, but I call this game 32-27 Gators. The ‘Noles are better than us this year, but not much better. The margin of disparity in talent, team chemistry, and athleticism can be overcome by the Gators.